Frontier Airlines now charging for carry-on bags

Passengers flying Frontier Airlines will now have to pay extra to place carry-on bags in the overhead bin or for advance seat assignments.

The move comes as the Denver-based airline tries to transform itself into a fee-dependent airline, similar to Spirit Airlines or Allegiant Air -- the only other U.S. carriers to charge such fees.

Frontier said that in exchange for these new fees, it is lowering its base fare by an average of 12 percent. The new charges apply to tickets purchased on or after Monday.

Frontier currently has four flights a day between Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and its hub in Denver. It flies out of MSP's main terminal.

The fee for using the overhead bin ranges from $20 for frequent fliers who book online to $50 for those who fail to pay before getting to the gate. Most will pay $25 if they check in online, $35 if they check-in at the airport. Personal items fitting under the seat remain free.

Frontier previously only charged a fee for carry-on bags to passengers who booked the cheapest tickets through third-party sites like Expedia and Orbitz. Monday's change applies to everybody except those booking the most-expensive fares.

Seat assignments -- even for the dreaded middle seat -- cost an extra $3 for those who buy while booking online; $8 at check-in. If passengers don't pay extra, Frontier will assign them whatever seats are leftover.

Advertisement

For "select" seats, which are just in the front half of the plane, Frontier will charge an extra $5 to $15 per flight, depending on when they are purchased. "Stretch" seats with an extra 5 to 7 inches of legroom -- including those in the exit row -- will cost $15 to $50 per flight segment, depending on the distance flown. Connecting passengers would have to pay each fee twice.

Passengers who buy more expensive fully refundable "Classic Plus" fares will get stretch seats for free as well as one checked bag and one free carry-on bag. Similar benefits will be given for free to elite members of Frontier's frequent flier program.

In December, a struggling Frontier was purchased by Indigo Partners, a private equity firm that has revamped several near-bankrupt airlines by changing their business models. One of its latest turnarounds was Spirit, based in Miramar, Fla. Just last week, Frontier named Barry Biffle as its new president. Biffle had spent nearly nine years working as chief marking officer of Spirit.

"Frontier is merely copying Spirit, reflecting its investment by Indigo," said Henry Harteveldt, an airline analyst with Hudson Crossing. "I'm not surprised that the airline is doing this."